---
title: Shrimpfishes (Centriscidae)
scientific_name: Centriscidae
common_name: Shrimpfishes
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:17:01.831Z
tags: Shrimpfishes, Centriscidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/shrimpfishes
---

# Shrimpfishes (*Centriscidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Centriscidae
- **Body shape:** Elongate - Long and slender, but still fish-shaped - trumpetfishes, needlefishes, cornetfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 1

## How to recognise this group

- elongated, slender body
- razor-thin ventral edge
- long, tubular snout
- distinctive head-down swimming posture
- often silvery to transparent with a thin dark stripe

Shrimpfishes (Centriscidae) are small, laterally compressed marine fishes that typically swim with a distinctive vertical, head-down posture. Their elongated, slender bodies feature an extremely thin, razor-sharp ventral edge, which gives rise to their common name "razorfish". They possess a long, tubular snout ending in a small, upturned mouth. Most species have a thin, dark stripe running along their silvery to nearly transparent bodies. Adults usually measure 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) in length, including the snout.

These fishes inhabit shallow, sheltered reef areas, seagrass beds, and rubble zones at depths from 2 to 30 m (7 to 100 ft). They form small, tightly synchronized schools, drifting among the spines of long-spined sea urchins, soft corals, or gorgonians, using their body shape and swimming style for camouflage. Shrimpfishes feed on small zooplankton and benthic invertebrates, sucking them into their elongated snouts. Their other common name, "shrimpfish", relates to their slender form and often transparent appearance.


## Species (1)

- [Speckled Shrimpfish (Aeoliscus punctulatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/shrimpfishes/speckled-shrimpfish)

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*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/shrimpfishes)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*